Issachar and his brother Asher are students at Bishop Maginn High School, they are young refugees from Pakistan, they have experienced Hell on earth and come through it, hurt but full of love and hope. Issachar is special, when Red and I visited the school yesterday, he pulled up a chair and read to Red.

I asked what he was reading and he said he was  reading jokes from a book about the Simpsons that I had given him. Red seemed to soak it up, he loves being read to, something Issachar sensed.

(I could use some help to support Issachar and Asher, I’d like to get them and one or two of the other refugee art students some special books, comics and clothes. If you can, please contribute via Paypal, [email protected] or by check, Jon Katz, P.O.Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816. Thanks)

Issachar wants to be a comedian, so he has become the Bedlam Farm Comedian, offering a joke of the week, sometimes more. There was a lot of noise in the classroom, next week we’ll go to the music room where it’s quieter.

Issachar loves the new red sneakers we get him, Sue Silverstein says they never leave his feet. It is a joy to bring more light into a dark year for Issachar and his brother Asher. Sensitive, beautiful souls.

Sue Silverstein is planning a visit to the farm soon. She’s coming, along with Principal Mike Tolan, and the Silverstein Art Gang.